HOPELESSNESS Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

hopelessness

noun

Definition of hopelessness

as in desperation

utter loss of hope the fans' hopelessness was dispelled as their team mounted a comeback

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Recent Examples of hopelessness Few residents wanted to speak about politics, citing a general feeling of hopelessness and frustration. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Burdick seemed to have drawn directly from McCarthy’s experience, the hopelessness of fighting with his father over a world his father had already ruined, the surrender to indulgence and mindless violence because…why not? — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 In that sense, the dead-end setting of their journey across a volatile landscape in which humans might be an afterthought seems to reflect their hopelessness. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 What could that dirt road and the horizon beyond it mean—hope or hopelessness? — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 According to 2025 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a third of youth have persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness — about 10% more than a decade earlier. — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Corruption across the political divide Much of this year’s fatigue traces back to a sense of hopelessness over systemic corruption, which ranks among voters’ biggest concerns, yet neither camp can claim the issue as its own, say experts. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 Women are more likely than men to report severe depression and hopelessness following breakups, but men are three to four times more likely to commit suicide. — George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026 In interviews with The Post, current and former detainees described frequent fights and feelings of hopelessness. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopelessness

Noun

The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback dislocated his right thumb when his throwing hand hit Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman on a desperation pass on fourth down that was intercepted late in the fourth quarter of a 23-16 loss in Week 3.

— Rob Maaddi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Such a gamble could deepen Israel’s insecurity, but electoral desperation seldom improves anyone’s judgment.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

Tsai, the Stanford professor, has conducted research on how emotion in American culture puts value on trying to always feel positive and minimizing negativity and sadness.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Survey findings About 28% of Gaston respondents reported moderate or higher levels of negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, anger or boredom, compared with roughly 10% in Union, Venkitasubramanian said.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of sadness

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hopeless

hopelessness

hopes

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“Hopelessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopelessness. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hopelessness

noun

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